About us

The dramatic geography, ancient lore and unspoilt seaside give historic Hampshire an edge over the Home Counties of London as a place to settle, raise a family and retreat to nature. Still, Hampshire is, at its closest, 55 miles from London. Those with ties to the capital or working in the west of London can commute quite happily. Residents get the best of both worlds.

Expanding or improving a home in a Hampshire conservation area requires an architect fluent in the local codes and guidelines. In places where fewer of these properties exist and preservation laws are less stringent, there is opportunity to buy and build on land more freely. Hampshire architects have done wonders preserving and modernising the county’s most historic properties and designed boundary-pushing new architecture.

Scenario has had a successful relationship dealing with planning departments throughout London and the West Country. Our experience, along with our reputation converting historic homes with a compassionate eye, has made our boutique architecture practice one of the most sought-after in the UK.

We launched our architecture practice in 2007 and have spent our careers formulating a fresh, collaborative approach to residential design. Our projects marry the UK’s rich architectural traditions with unique contemporary design, emerging with striking contrast and style. The lifestyles of our clients dictate the layout and specs, so that the final result reflects their spirit.

In 2018 our flagship residential project Scenario House was shortlisted for the RIBA London Awards. The house demonstrates our commitment to period properties, incorporating the needs of homeowners today. Elements of this project can be adapted to any period or contemporary home in the UK.

Projects

Open-plan kitchen and dining room with a mother and child on the window seat, and the garden through glazed doors
Visitors around the kitchen island at Scenario House during the NLA Open House event

Full renovation of a family home, exploring the connection between living spaces

The Scenario House, Stoke Newington during NLA Open house event

Starting your Hampshire project

Hampshire Architects Your Hampshire project

Most building projects in Hampshire require approval from the local authority. Hampshire architects can help you through the process, collaborating with council officials to see through your application. Scenario Architects has successfully steered clients through the permissions stage.

We’ve drawn up an illustrated synopsis to help guide you through the planning process for a Hampshire-based renovation, restoration, addition or new-build.

Living room with an arched fireplace opening set between built-in bookshelves
Visitors around the kitchen island at Scenario House during the NLA Open House event

Focal Shift fire place, first project as local architects in Hackney E9

The Scenario House, Stoke Newington during NLA Open house event

2017

Your Hampshire project

If you are contemplating a home restoration, renovation, addition or new build in Hampshire, we can help. To help understand what this entails, take a look first at our illustrated synopsis.

Most architectural projects in and around Hampshire must seek approval from the local council and building department. Hampshire architects will be able to help navigate that process, working collaboratively with officials to see through any application. Scenario Architecture has had a successful record securing planning permission on behalf of our clients.

If you are thinking about starting an architectural project in Hampshire, be it a renovation, or an extension to an existing property or even a new build house we are here to help.

We created a brief and illustrated overview of the process to help you understand what to expect through the various stages of a residential, extension, renovation or new build project in Hampshire.

Most projects need planning permission from your local council.

  TIP: To find out the actual track record which any architects you may be considering has with your local council, go to the planning application search page on your local council’s website and use the search by agent option.  

Open-plan kitchen with a dark island, brass pendants and an oak dining table, below a double-height rooflight

Tip

Working with Scenario Architecture on your Hampshire project

Hampshire Architects Your Hampshire project

Our boutique studio specialises in residential architecture, offering bespoke services for home additions, renovations and new-builds. Based in Wandsworth, we practice across London and beyond.

A RIBA Chartered Practice, Scenario complies with the UK’s strict health and safety criteria. We collaborate closely with our clients throughout every stage of the process, from the design phase, through planning and construction. We aim to deliver every project on time and on budget.

Our skilled team works with the latest 3D design technology: real-time digital visualisations and virtual reality. We feel they are the most effective and efficient tools for seeing through our work, choosing fittings and simulating natural light.

This Chartered Institute of Building case study features a recent Scenario project, demonstrating the benefits of advanced technologies in designing for the domestic sphere.

Split-level living space with children at a built-in plywood window seat, below dark pendants and a glass balustrade
White living room with a black leather sofa and a hide rug, beside an inset wood burner and its log store

Working with Scenario Architecture on your Hampshire project

Established in 2007, Scenario Architecture is a boutique architecture studio focused on the high-end residential sector, working extensively throughout and around London. We specialise in every scale and type of domestic project, from interior alterations, through full renovations and refurbishments to new build homes. We offer a full bespoke architecture service tailored to fit your requirements and aspirations.

Our friendly and highly skilled team has the knowledge, experience and expertise necessary to take you step-by-step through the challenging and exciting journey of creating your new home. We will work together with you in close collaboration from initial design, through detail design and planning all the way to tender, construction and successful completion of your project on time and within budget.

Scenario Architecture is an RIBA Chartered Practice, which essentially means that we are compliant with the RIBA (Royal Institute of Chartered Architects) strict criteria, covering insurance, health and safety and quality management systems.

As early adopters of latest technology, we use as a standard for all projects a verity of innovative 3D design and visualisation tools to create and communicate design with our clients. Our experience shows that Real-Time visualisations and Virtual Reality tours are extremely powerful tools to streamline the process of choosing material finishes fixtures and fittings as well as simulating realistic natural light conditions.

When we produce accurate and reliable construction information we use the latest 3D BIM technology, (BIM stands for Building Information Modelling) which means that all project information is derived from a single accurate and coordinated 3D model. Using this cutting-edge technology collaboratively with other consultants as well as contractors has proven to save time and cost for our clients.

A case study featuring one of our projects was published by the Chartered Institute of Building, demonstrating the great benefits of this advanced technology specifically with domestic projects.

Scenario Architecture in London deliver design and architectural expertise for residential projects. We were established in 2007 by Ran Ankory and Maya Carni who both trained with the AA School of Architecture. Scenario have grown to an award-winning team of nine. We have been featured in Dezeen and Elle Decoration UK.

Our highly experienced team of architects Stoke Newington work with clients using innovative 3D and Virtual Reality technology that simulates your new home before the first brick is even laid. This simulation technique allows you to see beautiful scenarios, designed to fit your life. An organic process, it often influences the choice of materials and design methods.

If you are looking for a top architects Hampshire, we can help with your project. We are a RIBA Chartered Practice and we operate across the following areas and postal districts: Camden, Dalston, Hackney, Hampstead, Highgate, Haringey, Islington, East London, Knightsbridge, Kensington and Chelsea, Mayfair, Notting Hill, North London, West London, West Hampstead, Shoreditch, Southwark, Stoke Newington, N1, N6, NW3, N16 and E5.

Start your Hampshire project

Dining table and built-in bench under a drum pendant, beside full-height glazing onto the garden
Grey kitchen with a copper pendant and a polished concrete floor, opening onto the garden
White kitchen under a large glazed roof, with a black dog sitting by the units

Full-width extension opens to the beautiful garden of this Victorian property

Complete renovation and extension of a family home

A glazed roof draws daylight deep into the plan

Scenario is an established architecture practice focusing on contemporary residential design. We take on projects of every scale and scope, from home refurbishment, renovation and expansions to new-builds.

Victorian renovations are more compassionate today than they’ve ever been, with homeowners striving to preserve architectural elements like decorative cornicing, ceiling roses, skirting boards and dada rails. Sash windows are being replaced by specially made wood reproductions and wood-burning fireplaces recouped after being sealed off for decades. Paint companies like Farrow & Ball have built multinationals out of replicating the de rigueur colours of Victorian times. And new tile ceramicists are bringing back traditional motifs with contemporary silhouettes, for front gardens and foyers. Hardwood floors have made a comeback, with timber salvage and reproduction going strong.

Most renovations focus on transforming the core of the home, and revolutionise the kitchen and bathrooms in the process. To recoup the extra floor area today’s families have become accustomed to, Hampshire architects are extending into voids in the lofts and side returns common in Victorians. Small period kitchens can open up into the side return without eradicating period features; in the recovered space, a corner can be reserved for a powder room or utility room. Ditto the loft: pushing up the ceiling and pushing out dormer windows can make new space available for an en suite bathroom.

With extending out into dead space comes the welcoming in of natural light. Upward-facing Velux windows become possible once the upper floor is properly extended and the main floor pushed out beyond the confines of the original footprint. If a second-storey extension is permitted in your plans, an internal void can bring natural light from the top floor downwards, and vice versa.

Hampshire Architects In our clients words

scenario-architecture-testimonial-brendan We wanted to renovate our house in a conservation area in central London. Given this involved a complete demolition and new build with an extra floor on top, getting planning approval was always going to be tricky. Scenario did an amazing job on the new house 'envelope' and throughout the planning phase. We couldn't have wished for better from them and having succeeded in gaining planning approval owe them a very big 'thank you'.
scenario-architecture-testimonial-simon Scenario designed a kitchen extension for us, and we are delighted with the results. The process was well organised, planned and delivered, and the whole team were a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend them for their design, planning and project management skills.
scenario-architecture-testimonial-james Worked with these guys on the internal development of our office. From start to finish they were great. They got what we wanted first time and really made working with them very easy. Their aftercare has been great too helping us deal with something that they were not involved with in the first place. Will highly recommend them to anyone. See all Google reviews

Working with Scenario Architecture

This guide will suit anyone seeking consent from the council to alter a property. It discusses the basics of planning and our strategies for completing the process successfully.

A RIBA Chartered Practice, we comply with strict health and safety criteria, as dictated by the UK’s governing body.

If you’re seeking Hampshire architects, visit our online portfolio. Our highly skilled team collaborates closely with every client on sketches, detailed designs, planning, tender and construction all the way through to completion. We deliver our services to the agreed budgets and deadlines. Real-time digital visualisations and virtual reality are efficient tools for seeing through a project, choosing fittings and simulating natural light. Scenario architects use innovative 3D design technology on all projects.

This Chartered Institute of Building case study features a Scenario project and demonstrates the benefits of advanced technologies for our domestic work.

In our client's words

Dalston is less a defined London territory than it is a neighbourhood of like-minded people. Roughly defined in the west by the A10, the city’s oldest Roman-dug road, it floats between Clapton, Hoxton and Islington. But more than its geographical location, it expresses itself with its liberal, tolerant, international attitude.

The working-class population that first settled here in the 19th-century, rippling out from the Regents Canal, converted farmland into industrial sites and small Victorian cottages. They were joined by immigrants from multiple countries and religions, together building up a modest community outside the confines of the City of London. After a postwar slump, the neighbourhood came alive toward the end of the last century. Artists began settling here, spilling out from Hoxton and Shoreditch, seeking inexpensive post-industrial workspace, artistic freedom and places to exhibit their art. As per the rules of gentrification, young professionals and families followed. They’ve transformed the old warehouses, factories and stables into appealing and spacious homes. And in the brownfields between them, architects have designed experimental contemporary homes, creating housing where none existed while pushing the boundaries of their craft.

Live-work spaces, purpose-built apartment blocks and modern terrace housing have sprung up among the historic brick and contemporary timber constructions, giving the neighbourhood a dynamic and unpredictable character. People of all cultures and brackets live side-by-side, and businesses are popping up to serve them. They combine to make Dalston an area of great potential, for people who seek a multicultural atmosphere and an unconventional lifestyle.

If you’re a fan of heritage housing, look to the streets radiating east off Stoke Newington High Street and Kingsland Road. Streets like Forest Road and Richmond Road, leading to Gayhurst Community School and London Fields, are chock-a-block with tall, broad Victorian family homes and repurposed factories. With the old brick and ironwork maintained, new residents are slowly fixing them up and maximising their potential. Further north, Shacklewell Lane, Sandringham Road and St Marks Rise are attracting new buyers to the grand tree-lined streets. Homes here rise to four storeys, many of them in need of an upgrade. Buyers seeking a fixer-upper, or a tired family home on which to put a personal stamp, would have lots of opportunity here. At the heart of this enclave sits St Marks Dalston, one of the largest neighbourhood churches in the country – larger in area than Southwark Cathedral. Its Gothic rose window and French-inflected tower, built a century ago, dominate the road.

Loft extensions are more of a rule than an exception in Dalston, as are side-return kitchen extensions. Local architects like Scenario are well versed in the expansion and renovation process here, and manoeuvre their designs successfully through the planning and heritage departments. The results are often stripped-back, light-filled versions of the original Victorian architecture, offering vast entertaining spaces and private nooks for growing families.

Further Reading

Hampshire benefits from dramatic geography, unspoilt seaside and an almost inconceivably rich history, which combine to give the county an edge over most others in London’s orbit. Located upwards of 55 miles from central London, it sits within commuting distance of both the capital and the south coast, making it a great place to settle dowm, raise a family and retreat to nature. Residents get the best of both worlds: cosmopolitan living and an active, outdoorsy lifestyle.

Winchester, Hampshire’s county seat and one of its most significant cities, has been inhabited since before the Romans. The city rivalled London as the country’s most populous urban centre until just a few hundred years ago. It has since seen coastal towns like Portsmouth and Southampton pass it in size and scope. Yet all of the above maintain a great number of listed properties well maintained for contemporary living. The average household income throughout Hampshire remains steadily high, and locals are extremely house proud.

Drive around the Hampshire’s finest towns and landmarks, from Lymington to Southampton, Porchester Castle to the South Downs: you’ll find all manner of housing stock, from gingerbread cabins in the woods and clapboard seaside cottages to mock Tudor townhouses and sprawling brick Queen Anne estates surrounded by lawns. It would be difficult to find a similarly high calibre of real estate so close to London with the same natural surrounds and quality of life. Yet regardless of local vernacular and heritage red tape, Hampshire architects can tailor these historic homes to very specific, modern tastes. The great pool of Hampshire architects has kept them up to date, for the most part. The area of Hart, clinging to the River Hart just west of the Surrey border, recently ranked Number One in the annual Halifax quality of life study. The area combines proximity to city life with access to ancient countryside, outstanding schools and an active summer social calendar. The pretty towns of Lymington, Midhurst, Petersfield and Stockbridge regularly rank highly as well, for their lively markets, awe-inspiring architecture and protected wildlife. The reputation for fine building stock increases the demand for homes in and around these choice centres, so expect some competition if you plan to search here. If you persevere, chances are you will land a property with innate beauty and endless potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Should You Demolish And Rebuild?

Regarding home improvement, the idea of demolishing a home in its entirety and beginning all over again may not seem like the smartest move initially. Starting from scratch not only takes a lot of effort but seemingly would cost a fortune, right? Well, in many areas of the UK, knocking everything down and rebuilding actually saves you a lot more than you’d think. In parts where individual plots are scarce, it can actually be one of the best ways to get the home you feel you deserve. Let’s have a little chat about demolishing and rebuilding, discussing the good and bad along the way:

When Would One Look To Demolish And Rebuild In The First Place?

Typically, someone looking to demolish and begin a rebuild project would target older homes that were built to suit generations of years gone by. We’re talking about bungalows and detached houses that were built around the post-war austerity era and around the 1970s. These kinds of homes were never going to stand the test of time and were never going to last forever. People had different lifestyles, different energy efficiency, and different levels of comfort. It may not be that long ago, but so much has changed – and these properties can be pretty difficult to sell.

These houses of years gone by were built with much smaller rooms than what are expected in this day and age. These rooms also have no real versatility like the modern home of the 21st century. They’re also built with little-to-no heating and hardly any installation. Finally, and quite unfathomably, a lot of these properties were not built with a bathroom. An obvious necessity in this day and age.

The good thing about this kind of property, however, is that these locations tended to have a lot of land. This meant that you could build pretty much whatever you wanted on your own property – before certain laws and acts came in and blocked the right.

Are All Properties Able To Be Demolished And Redone?

Some will be more difficult than others, as you can imagine. For instance, terraced houses and semi-detached houses will likely be a non-starter as you’d have to secure consent to demolish and rebuild. This consent would need to be received by many, many parties. When it comes to older homes, you need to consider whether demolishing is even necessary as there is still a high demand and strong market for period houses. Rebuilding would be a much worse idea than a simple revamp or refurbishment.

Buildings that are marked as historical or have architectural significance have been protected by the listed buildings scheme. You will not be able to touch these properties even if you really pushed for it. There are plenty out there that are available, however. If you ever look to demolish a building, you’ll likely find out whether it’s illegible for this kind of thing or not as somebody or note will step in and stop the project in its tracks.

Planning Policies

When it comes to the actual planning and the regulations behind it all, you must ensure you have a pre-planning meeting to assess what is available and what isn’t. Due to many replacement projects involving so many small existing homes on larger plots, making the volume larger is usually allowed as long as you reach an agreement with local planners. When discussing a few items, you might be able to argue that the home you’re proposing to build will have a lower environmental impact than the smaller one it will replace.

In green belt areas, new work is typically not allowed. Replacement dwellings, however, are seen as more acceptable. There are strict policies on what can be allowed regarding increases in footprint or volume. Sometimes, if a property looks as though it is rundown and abandoned, it will be ruled unavailable for any further residential use. This will make it unsuitable for rebuilding. If you ever look to rebuild on a property, make sure you’re actually able to go through with it.

How You’ll Look To Benefit Financially From Replacements

If you take a little look at the value of building plots, you can see that most will cost as much as (or more than) the price of a current property on the market. This is due to the value of the land not being dictated by what is currently on it – but the potential it has, should it ever be properly worked on.

On the whole, demolishing a property is not that expensive. A few thousand would be the height of the fee involved and the main cost is mainly based on disposing of the wasted bits and pieces. In order to demolish, you’ll need to ensure you have building control approval – this will consist of the commissioning of environmental and asbestos surveys. If you’re borrowing at all, you must make sure that your lender is happy for you to demolish and rebuild a property.

Renovating And Rebuilding – The Difference Regarding VAT

Demolishing and rebuilding has one thing categorically over any kind of extension or refurb – and that’s the VAT. You can reclaim on materials used when building a new property and labour is zero-rated. Work on an existing structure is 20% VAT on both, however. The overall cost is significantly less at the end of the day, and you’ll happily end up with left over money once the job has been completed.

Extra Pros For Demolishing And Rebuilding

If you need any more positives and benefits, then here they are:

You’re going to be creating an entirely new home that fits the style in your mind’s eye and fits the comfort levels you’re expecting. An existing property is also likely to have access to the main services you’ll need, such as electricity, water, gas, and drainage. Finally, easements and wayleaves for managing this property will already be in place.